A Way With Words: Six Reasons Why Your Voice Matters

One of the greatest components of being a leader is having the ability to influence decisions that are made in society. Leaders have the ability to inadvertently influence decisions that individuals and organizations make. A key way that one can be strategic about influencing choices that are made in society is through the use of rhetoric or language. The greatest responsibility that leaders have is making sure that they use their words intentionally and wisely. Words that come from trusted public figures have the power to incite, unite, and/or divide. There are key figures that have the ability to shape people’s mindsets through the use of words. Responsible leadership means that leaders are meticulous and careful with the way they handle language. Your voice and the message you convey to others matters. Responsible leaders carefully construct a blueprint of word choices that bring healing, belief, awareness, motivation, action, and unity in their areas of influence. 

1. Healing: When you analyze the message that you are bringing people, does your message have the potential to heal people? Do you have a message that empathizes with the pain that people are experiencing? Being the guide means using your voice to protect people’s sanity and make them feel like they are in a safe place. Before people can be motivated and excited to act, they need words that will heal. Find words to comfort people so that they can be excited about continuing to pursue their purpose.

2. Belief: People have to believe that what you say will help them. The message that you have for people is only believable by the way you construct your message. In order for people to believe your message for them, you have to be passionate about the topic that you are presenting. You also have to genuinely believe in the people that hear your message. When people hear your belief in them, they will be inspired to change and act.

3. Awareness: There is a unique perspective that you have about a particular topic that not everyone shares. Your voice has a distinctive expression that can cause people to look at a subject matter differently. Your voice matters because it brings awareness to problems in society that others may not have known existed.

4. Motivation: Do your words inspire people to be the change agent in their own sphere of influence and community? Do your words give people the confidence and bravery to believe in the gifts, purpose, and talents that are already inside of them? Great leaders know the right words to use to encourage individuals to reach their highest potential. The rhetoric that one chooses can cause people to be fueled to fulfill their destiny. A strategic orator identifies when it is time to move from consoling people to encouraging individuals to walk in their purpose.

5. Action: Do your words motivate people to take action? Leaders have the opportunity to light the match of dreams and desires that were already inside of people’s hearts. Your rhetoric should give people hope that they can act on a noble cause and see results that will impact the world. Use your voice to persuade people to not only be listeners but to also be people of action.

6. Unity: All great dreams cannot be accomplished without people working in solidarity on a goal. The language you choose has the power to unify people to take action on a cause in society. The arguments that you make should bring people closer together to fulfill dreams that will radically revolutionize the world. Use your voice to inspire people to work together so that battles can be won.  

Being pensive about the rhetoric you choose to use will help you leave an honorable legacy on the earth. Your words will live on after you. You have the power to decide in the present how you want your voice to be remembered when you are no longer around. Leave a stamp in society that will have people saying that you sure had a way with words.